Mizoram police nabs three HPC-D militants

AIZAWL: A special operation team of Mizoram police's Criminal Investigation Department (Special Branch) recently arrested three militants belonging to Lalhmingthanga Sanate faction of the Hmar People's Convention (Democratic) or HPC(D), police said in a statement on Friday.

The three HPC-D cadres are identified as Zarzova (47), Lalmuankima (34), both from Mauchar village in Aizawl district and Lalropianga (38), a resident of Thingpuikuol in Manipur's Pherzawl district of Mizoram, the statement said.

They were arrested from Saipum village in Kolasib district of Mizoram for extorting money from non-local traders in a highway between Tuirial Hydro electric power dam near Saipum and Mauchar on March 25, it said.

On Tuesday, Zorzova was convicted by a fast track court in Kolasib and was sentenced to under rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and fined Rs. 1 lakh for possessing heroin, the statement said.

He was arrested in March 2021 for possessing 324 grams of heroin and was released on bail due to health issues.

After his arrest on March 25 this year, Zarzova was produced to the court on Tuesday for pronouncement of the quantum of punishment and he was sent to jail.

The HPC-D had earlier demanded an autonomous district council under the sixth schedule of the constitution by carving out Hmar dominated villages in the northeastern part of Mizoram adjoining Manipur.

However, H Zosangabera faction of HPC(D) signed a peace accord with the Mizoram government in April 2018, which led to the birth of Sinlung Hills Council (SHC) for people of Hmar dominated villages in the northeastern part of the state.

Another faction headed by Sanate is mainly based and active in Assam's Cachar district.